Ruben Amorim accepts he and his Man Utd squad are currently ‘underperforming’

United face Real Sociedad in the Europa League round-of-16 second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday night, with the tie poised at 1-1.

UNDERPERFORMING: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has defended his players (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim accepted he and his squad were currently “underperforming” after co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had said some of the club’s players were “not good enough” and “some probably are overpaid”.

The British billionaire, who took charge of footballing operations at United in February last year, referenced Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Casemiro, plus Jadon Sancho and Antony – who are both on loan – as he spoke about players “that we didn’t buy in” during a wide-ranging interview with the BBC.

Speaking at a press conference, Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was sacked in October, said: “If we are being honest in this moment, everybody, me, all the players, we are underperforming this season, so we can always change that – and I include myself in that part of underperforming.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe (centre) took charge of footballing operations at Manchester United in February last year (Nick Potts/PA)

“And you are talking about players like Casemiro, for example, that won everything – and we know that these kind of players can play so much better, so that is the focus.

“He (Radcliffe) was honest on that, so the focus is to change his mind and to change all the people’s minds.”

United – currently 14th in the Premier League – face Real Sociedad in the Europa League round-of-16 second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday night, with the tie poised at 1-1.